Hamas strengthens security abroad in response to Israeli plans

Ramallah, 5 Dec. - The leaders of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) abroad reinforced security measures in fear of further assassination attempts by Israel, international newspaper Asharq al-Awsat reported today.

"We expect more attempts to occur in a non-Arab country," a high-ranking source within the Islamist group told the newspaper, recalling the failed Israeli attack on September 9 against a complex in Doha where several of the group's leaders were located, an incursion that sparked a wave of global condemnation.

There are concerns within Hamas, especially after the recent assassination of the number two and military commander of the Lebanese group Hezbollah, Haitham Tabatabai, it stressed.

Sources agreed that despite the guarantees offered by the United States and the other mediating countries—Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey—the movement's leadership does not trust Israel.

One of them indicated that, according to assessments, the security services are planning an attack against Hamas in a non-Arab country, although it did not specify which one.

Asharq al-Awsat cited among the new instructions the need to suspend meetings in a fixed location and rotate gatherings among different locations.

Now, leaders must leave their cell phones at least 70 meters away from the designated meeting place, as well as avoid entering these locations with any medical or electronic devices, including watches.

The space also cannot have air conditioning, internet routers, or even televisions, the publication noted.

It added that the instructions also warn of the need to constantly monitor the meeting place for fear that agents might install small cameras.

In July of last year, Israel assassinated Hamas's top political figure, Ismail Haniyeh, in Tehran, and in January of that year, his deputy, Saleh al-Arouri, in Beirut.

Most of the movement's political and military leadership in the Gaza Strip has also been killed in Israeli attacks since the outbreak of the war in October 2023. (Text and photo: PL)